Next four weeks remain high-risk for dengue, says Health Minister

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says the next four weeks will remain a high-risk period for dengue, based on current surveillance data.

Speaking at an event in Colombo today (06), the minister said the government has decided to introduce the dengue vaccine in Sri Lanka.

So far this year, 61,060 dengue cases have been reported, with 39 deaths recorded.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Kapila Kannangara, said that 5,663 cases were reported during the first five days of this month alone.

He added that five children under the age of five are among those who have died.

Meanwhile, a week-long special dengue control programme covering 22 high-risk dengue zones in the Western Province continued today (06) for its second consecutive day.

However, Acting President of the Public Health Inspectors' Association, Upul Rohana, said at a media briefing today that a shortage of technical staff has become a major challenge in controlling the dengue outbreak.